Chapter 21
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, it all belongs to JK Rowling…I'm merely an obsessed fan with ideas stuck in my head.
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Leila woke up Christmas morning to a pile an owl rapping at Ginny's window.
"Vat 'eez zat?" Fleur groaned.
"Go see for yourself." Ginny groaned back.
"I'll get it." Leila sighed.
Leila forced herself out of bed and walked over to Ginny's window. A beautiful owl rapped once again at the window.
"I'm coming you bloody bird." Leila whispered.
Leila wrapped her blanket tightly around her body and opened the window. The owl was carrying a small package wrapped in emerald paper. Leila untied the present from the owl and the owl quickly flew away. She watched the owl in surprise.
"Close the window." Ginny grumbled.
Leila closed the window and looked at the package. Her name was scrawled onto the parchment. She removed the parchment and read the note.
Christmas Day, as promised
It took Leila a second to realize that this was from Draco. She quickly unwrapped the present and gasped. The box was from Twilfitt and Tatting's Jewelry, an expensive store to say the least. Inside was a vintage tennis bracelet made of emeralds, rough diamonds, and sterling silver. It was beautiful. Either Draco had very good taste in jewelry or his mother picked it out for him. Leila suspected the latter. She was so lost in thought; she wasn't ready for the twenty questions.
"Eez beautiful." Fleur commented.
"Who's it from?" Ginny asked.
Leila simply shrugged. Ginny snatched the parchment that came with the gift.
"Christmas Day, as promised? The name isn't even on here! What's that supposed to mean?" Ginny asked.
Leila shrugged again. Ginny raised an eyebrow in suspicion and then grabbed the bracelet to examine it.
"Twilfitt and Tattings Jewelry! Do you know how much this must have cost?" Ginny said excitedly.
"Too much." Leila commented.
"Probably more than Dad makes in a year." Ginny whispered.
"You think I don't realize that? I can't accept this." Leila said.
"Well, whoever he is, he must think a lot of you." Ginny said.
"Why do you say that?" Leila asked.
"Because he got you this." Ginny said holding up the bracelet.
Leila snatched the bracelet back and plopped back onto her bed. She toyed with the idea of putting it on, but couldn't bring herself to do so. Instead she looked at the presents at the end of her bed. Ginny gave her a look and they both dove into their presents. None of her other presents were as fancy as Draco's, but Leila still was grateful for receiving what she did. When she was done opening presents she threw on her new sweater from Mrs. Weasley with a pair of jeans and headed downstairs.
Leila met Fred exiting his room yawning.
"G' morning, Happy Christmas!" Leila smiled.
"Happy Christmas, Leila." Fred smiled back.
"Nice sweater." Leila joked.
"You like it?" Fred teased.
"It's not as good as mine, of course." Leila said.
"Well of course." Fred smiled.
Leila chuckled and headed downstairs with Fred. They both got heckled by Mrs. Weasley to help prepare the food along with Ginny. When the food was prepared, they sat around the Weasley's overcrowded table. During the middle of the conversation surrounding Tonks, Mrs. Weasley stood up.
"Arthur! Arthur – It's Percy!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
Everyone looked at each other confusedly. They turned their attention to the window and sure enough, there Percy was walking with the Minister of Magic.
"What does he want?" Leila muttered.
Percy and the Minister were soon inside. The reunion was anything but heartwarming. Mrs. Weasley threw herself at Percy, who didn't appear to want anything to do with the family. The rest of the Weasley's kept their eyes on him cautiously. Honestly, Leila could have cared less that Percy was there. What concerned her was the Minister. It wasn't every day that the Minister of Magic made house calls. Scrimgeour scanned the table and his eyes landed on Harry.
"Ah, that young man's finished, why doesn't he take a stroll with me?" he said.
"Yeah, all right." Harry said.
Harry, it was always Harry everyone wanted. Precious Harry Potter….whoa, she was beginning to sound like Draco in her head. Leila sat back down, waiting for Harry to come back inside. She looked back to Percy. He was standing awkwardly, while Mrs. Weasley was trying to chat with him.
"How's work going, sweetheart?" Molly asked.
"Busy." Percy muttered.
"So you're working today?" Molly asked.
"Yes." Percy said shortly.
"There's no need to get short with your mother, Percy." Arthur reprimanded.
Percy stood taller and puffed out his chest. He was trying to make himself look more important than he actually was. Molly waved Arthur off and looked at her son.
"Oh my boy, it's so good to see you again." Molly said hugging her son again.
"Mother." Percy said.
Percy pushed his mother off him. Molly looked heartbroken and some mashed parsnips whirred passed her head and hit Percy's glasses. Percy sputtered, removed his glasses, cleaned them magically, and stuck them back on his face. He then turned to the table and glared.
"Which one of you did that?" Molly demanded.
"Sorry Mum, lost control of my spoon, I was aiming for Bill." Fred smirked.
"You do that again and there will be trouble." Molly said.
Fred chuckled. Silence over came the room. Harry and Scrimgeour sure were taking forever. Bill stood up and walked over to make some casual conversation with Percy. Leila watched out the window for Harry. Harry didn't look too happy with the Minister. Next thing she knew, Scrimgeour was headed back for the house without Harry.
"I'll be going now." Percy said.
"Now Perce, you don't have to be a stranger." Molly cooed.
"I'm far too busy for all this." Percy sneered.
"Don't talk to your mother like that." Arthur said standing on his feet.
"Have a pleasant holiday, Molly, Arthur." Percy said.
Molly gasped. Fred, George, and Ginny all aimed mashed parsnips at Percy, which caused him to storm out of the house. Molly ran after him apologizing, but he didn't seem to pay her any attention. Percy quickly disapparated with the Minister. Molly collapsed in the spot where Percy had left. Arthur tried to get her to come back in the house but she refused. Harry walked up to Leila, not looking happy.
"What was that about?" Leila asked.
"He wanted me to become the new face of the Ministry." Harry said.
"But…" Leila began.
"He just wanted information on Dumbledore. When will these idiots learn?" Harry said.
"Dunno." Leila shrugged her shoulders.
Arthur finally got Molly to come inside. She busied herself with washing the dishes, without magic. Harry moved into the living room to talk with Arthur and Remus. Leila helped Mrs. Weasley with the dishes. She was used to doing them by hand when she lived with the Dursleys. Fred and George came in with some of their joke products to help cheer their mother up.
"We've been working on this one for a few months." George said.
"That's nice, dear." Mrs. Weasley said half-heartedly.
"Want to see it?" Fred asked.
"Fred, can't you see I'm busy?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"C'mon Mum." Fred pleaded.
"Oh all right." Mrs. Weasley gave in.
Mrs. Weasley set the dish she was holding down to see Fred and George display their new product. It looked like any other joke product, but knowing Fred and George it wasn't. It was sort of like a muggle jack-in-the-box. The figure popped out and nothing happened.
"I don't understand." Mrs. Weasley said.
Fred was standing behind Mrs. Weasley and was counting down from three with his fingers. Three. Two. One. There was an explosion of confetti and the figure began to sing and dance. Mrs. Weasley screamed and then began to laugh. Leila, Fred, and George joined in with her.
"We were thinking it would be a good birthday or holiday seller." George said.
Mrs. Weasley was quite impressed.
"I must admit I didn't agree the way you two leaving like you did; but I want you to know how proud I am of you both." Mrs. Weasley said.
"Mum, you're embarrassing us." Fred teased.
Mrs. Weasley chuckled and hugged her sons.
"George, I need your help with something." Mrs. Weasley said.
"What do you need exactly? My brain, my charm, my good looks?" George joked.
"What would she need you for; everyone knows I'm the better twin when it comes to those categories." Fred teased.
Mrs. Weasley clicked her tongue and walked outside. George playfully pushed Fred and followed his mother outside. Leila turned her attention back to the dishes.
"Can I help?" Fred asked.
"If you're willing to do them by hand." Leila said.
"Fine, but I'm washing." Fred said.
"Then I'll dry." Leila smiled.
Fred grabbed a plate, scrubbed it, and handed it to Leila. She dried it and set the plate on the table behind her. She turned back to face the sink when Fred splashed water on her.
"Fred!" Leila screamed.
"Oops, sorry 'bout that." Fred smiled.
"You did it on purpose!" Leila exclaimed.
"I would never do something like that." Fred feigned hurt.
Leila raised an eyebrow and went to grab another plate from Fred. Instead of grabbing the plate, she reached her hand in the dishwater and splashed Fred.
"Now you've done it." Fred laughed.
Fred set the plate he had been working on down and splashed some more water at Leila. Leila tried to run away, but Fred followed her with his hands dripping water. She ran around the table, but he caught back up to her by the sink.
"Fred! Stop!" Leila squealed.
"Or what?" Fred laughed.
"Or this." Leila said.
Leila threw water at Fred once more, and tried to run; but he caught her arm. Leila squealed and tried to escape but it was no use, his hand had a tight grip on her arm.
"Eh hem." A voice cleared behind them.
Leila and Fred both turned around to see George standing behind them smirking. Leila rolled her eyes, but George just pointed up. She looked up to find that she and Fred were standing under Mistletoe. Her stomach dropped.
"Come on you two." George called.
Fred swallowed hard, as did Leila.
"Fred, I can't…" Leila began.
"It's just one kiss." Fred said.
"Fred, there's…" Leila began again.
"George won't leave us alone about it until we do." Fred whispered.
Fred leaned in close to kiss her when suddenly a window exploded in front of them. Fred had quickly whipped out his wand, and performed a shield charm which turned the glass in sand. Without realizing it, Leila had clung to Fred for protection. Outside, Mrs. Weasley was yelling for Mr. Weasley. Mr. Weasley ran into the kitchen.
"Outside, now!" Mr. Weasley shouted.
Leila released the grip she had on Fred's sweater and turned for the stairs.
"Leila!" Fred shouted.
"My wand's upstairs!" Leila yelled back.
Leila quickly rushed upstairs. She quickly ran into Ginny's room and looked for her wand. She looked on the nightstand, but it wasn't there.
"Where is it?" Leila groaned.
She spotted it on the floor near the window. Her wand must have fallen off the nightstand and onto the floor. As she reached for her wand, Ginny's window exploded. Leila screamed. She ducked down and threw her arms over her head for protection, but some glass still pieced her skin. She slowly began to rise and shake the glass off her body. She reached for her wand and headed back for the door. She quickly glanced at the bracelet Draco had given her, grabbed it, and ran outside.
She saw Harry running after Bellatrix as she got outside, and the Burrow was surrounded by flames. Remus and Arthur were battling the flames. Leila chased after Harry. Bellatrix's cackling could be heard through the night air. She ran faster but couldn't find Harry.
"Harry?" Leila whispered.
She cautiously walked a few steps forward.
"Harry, where are you?" Leila whispered.
Leila could hear footsteps near her.
"Boo!" Bellatrix said popping into view.
Leila screamed and instinctively backed away.
"Did I scare you? I believe I did." Bellatrix smirked.
Leila pointed her wand at Bellatrix.
"Are you going to curse me, little girl? Go ahead, do it." Bellatrix scoffed.
Leila was about to cast a spell at Bellatrix, when Bellatrix lunged for her other hand.
"Where'd you get this?" Bellatrix hissed.
Leila confusedly looked at her other hand. In it was the bracelet from Draco. Draco was Bellatrix's nephew. Had she seen the bracelet before? Crap.
"I...I bought it." Leila lied.
Bellatrix looked furious at her and was about to curse her when a spell came whirring over her head. Bellatrix was knocked to the ground and Fred grabbed her hand. He began to run, dragging Leila behind him, until they came to an open area. By this time, Leila was panting for air. Harry and Ginny were also there. Someone she didn't recognize deflected a spell from Harry and then disapparated. Leila placed her hand on her forehead to find blood dripping down.
"Are they gone?" Ginny whispered.
It was silent, except for them trying to catch their breath. It was too quiet. Suddenly, spells began to fly at them. Leila, Fred, Harry, and Ginny began firing back. Mr. Weasley was calling for them as they continued to battle in the dark, not knowing at whom they were firing spells at. Mr. Weasley and Remus soon appeared and the spells ceased. Distinctive popping noises could be heard, the Death Eaters were disapparating. Before they left, they set fire to the Burrow. They quickly ran back to where the others were near the burning house. George, Bill, Fleur, and Ron were trying to battle the flames, but Mrs. Weasley stood there frozen. It was no use; the damage to the house was done. Leila stood there watching the wreck, feeling weak, and fainted into darkness.
The rest of the break was uneventful. Most of it was spent trying to repair the Burrow from the attack. Soon, it was time to head back to Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley showered them with hugs before they left. They flooed from the Burrow into Professor McGonagall's office. Harry, followed by Leila, followed by Ron, and bringing up the rear was Ginny. Leila said her goodbyes and headed for the Slytherin common room.
She arrived in the common room to find it filled with students chatting about their Christmas breaks. She walked into her room, set her belongings down, and headed to meet Draco. They had to patrol tonight, which for once Leila was excited about because she could see Draco. She found him waiting for her outside the common room.
"Potter." Draco sneered.
"Malfoy." Leila rolled her eyes.
The oncoming first years saw them and continued on. Even they knew that Draco Malfoy and Leila Potter hated each other. They walked a ways and came upon an empty classroom. Draco walked in first and looked at Leila to follow him. She checked to make sure no one was around, walked in, and lunged at Draco. He picked her up, and pushed his back against the door to close it. Leila wrapped her legs around Draco's waist and pressed her hungry lips against his. Draco was all too eager.
"I missed you too." Leila giggled.
"I. Love. You." Draco said in between kisses.
"I love you too." Leila whispered.
Draco nuzzled her neck and placed kisses along her jaw line until he came to a cut. He then stopped.
"How'd you get this?" Draco asked.
"Your lovely aunt." Leila said.
"What?" Draco asked.
Leila sighed as Draco set her back to the floor.
"The Burrow was attacked." Leila said.
"What does that have to do with you?" Draco asked.
"I was at the Burrow. Do you listen when I talk to you?" Leila asked.
"You were there?" Draco questioned.
"I wasn't here and there's no way in hell I was going back to the Dursley's. So yes, I was at the Burrow." Leila said.
"What happened?" Draco asked.
"Like you don't know." Leila shook her head.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco asked.
"Nothing, forget I said it." Leila said.
"I won't do that." Draco said.
"All I meant is that she's your aunt." Leila said.
"Is that the only cut?" Draco asked lightly.
Leila pushed her hair out of her face to show him another one on her forehead, along with one on her ear.
"A window was smashed, that's all. See, I'm fine." Leila said.
Draco kissed each of her cuts and then held her tight.
"I've missed this." Leila sighed.
"Me too." Draco said.
"How was your break?" Leila asked.
"Nothing eventful." Draco commented.
Leila nodded and inhaled his scent. They stood there holding each other in silence.
"We should probably finish patrolling." Draco said.
"Yeah, I could do without another Snape detention." Leila said.
Draco squeezed Leila's hand and opened the door for her. During their patrol, they made casual conversation.
"Did you like your gift?" Draco asked.
Leila showed him her wrist, which the bracelet dangled on.
"I did, but your aunt didn't seem too pleased." Leila said.
"How'd she see it?" Draco asked quickly.
"It was in my hand the night of the attack. I ran after Harry and she found me. She looked pretty pissed when she saw the bracelet in my hand." Leila said.
"Leila, why did you do that? Don't you know that it's not safe?" Draco badgered.
Leila was about to comment, but she refrained. She was going to tell him that Fred saved her, but she wasn't sure Draco would want to hear about Fred. Draco sure wouldn't want to hear about her almost kiss with him. She simply bit her tongue and nodded. When they finished their patrol, like usual, Draco walked her to the common room, and turned to go.
"Draco." Leila whined.
"Leila, I'll see you later." Draco said.
Draco quickly walked to the Room of Requirements, his thoughts conflicted. Things were adding up in his head. When Auntie Bella had gotten back that night, she had tried to get inside his head. He knew how to block her out, but he understood why she did that now. Auntie Bella was on to him and Leila. Leila could have died at the hands of his aunt, and there was nothing he could have done about it. He felt it his duty to protect Leila, but he was failing miserably, just like he was with the Vanishing Cabinet. He spent a few hours trying spells to mend the thing, but it was a slow process. Defeated, he walked back to the common room and found Leila half-asleep on the couch.
"Draco." Leila whispered.
"What is it love?" Draco asked.
"Come here." Leila yawned.
Draco sat on the couch and Leila cuddled in close to him. He was instantly reminded of the last time they did this.
"Leila, this probably isn't a good idea. You should get to bed." Draco said.
"No…" Leila whined.
"Leila." Draco said.
"No. All I want is to be with my boyfriend. Can't we just stay here tonight? We'll get up before anyone else is even up." Leila suggested.
"I dunno." Draco sighed.
"Please?" Leila begged.
Draco looked at Leila. Her eyes pleaded with him. She was his weakness.
"Fine, but not the entire night." Draco gave in.
Silence overtook them. Draco could feel Leila's breathing begin to slow, and he knew she was asleep. All that fight, just to fall asleep on him. Draco shook his head. Draco refused to fall asleep in case they were caught. Good thing too, because he heard someone enter the common room and he quickly fled to his dormitory, leaving Leila asleep on the couch.
Professor Snape walked into the common room to hang a sign for Apparition Lessons for the sixth years. He was surprised to see Leila Potter asleep on the couch. Snape posted the sign and walked over to the couch.
"Miss Potter." Snape drawled.
Leila slowly woke up and looked at Professor Snape confusedly.
"Professor?" Leila asked.
"Bed, Miss Potter. Your own preferably." Professor Snape said.
Leila let what Professor Snape said sink in and stood up. She muttered an apology and walked to her room to go back to sleep. When she woke up, the room was filled with a dull buzz about Apparition lessons.
"When can we take the test?" Millicent asked.
"As soon as we're seventeen. I'll be seventeen in April. I won't have to wait forever, like some people." Daphne said.
"Now who could that be?" Pansy quipped.
"Get your arse out of bed, Potter." Daphne said.
"Shut up, Daphne." Leila said.
"What are you going to do about it? I'll tell you what, nothing! You know why? Because your filthy Mudblood mother did nothing." Daphne furthered.
"Don't talk about my mother like that." Leila hissed.
"Why not? It's true. If your mother would have done something, she would have lived that night." Daphne sneered.
Leila threw her covers off her and walked up to Daphne. Leila's face was inches from Daphne.
"For your information, I've already apparated." Leila sneered.
Leila raised an eyebrow and walked away. She quickly changed into her school robes and headed for the Charms classroom. Hermione was already in the classroom. Leila threw her books down next to Hermione and plopped into the seat.
"Morning." Hermione said.
"Morning." Leila muttered.
"How are you?" Hermione asked.
"Please, not now, Granger." Leila moaned.
Hermione returned her attention to the book she was reading. Soon the class began to fill in. Leila saw Draco across the classroom with the other Slytherins. She watched as Pansy tried to flirt with him. She began to wonder if he saw Pansy over break. He probably did. She tried to distract herself by practicing the lesson. It worked for a while, until she saw Pansy's pudgy fingers grace Draco's arm. Leila aimed her fountain of water from her wand at Pansy, drenching her. Pansy scowled at Leila, while Leila simply smirked.
"Detention, Miss Potter." Professor Flitwick said.
"It was well worth it." Leila whispered.
Hermione looked at her oddly, but Leila shrugged it off. The rest of the day went by rather smoothly. Leila went to put her books back in her room. When she walked in, her side of the room was trashed. Her belongings were strewn everywhere.
"Damnit." Leila swore under her breath.
She walked closer to examine the mess. Her clothes were hanging all over the place, along with parchment and quills. Leila suddenly gasped. The photograph of her mother was torn into shreds lying on her bed. Tears began to spill from her eyes. She had to get out of there. She walked back into the common room.
"The Mudblood deserved it, and to die." Daphne laughed.
Leila tackled Daphne to the ground. The girls began fighting on the ground. Leila pulled Daphne's hair. Daphne scratched at Leila's face. The girls screamed at each other.
"Fight!" A first year yelled.
A crowd began to gather while the girls continued to wrestle on the ground. Daphne grabbed onto Leila's hair, while Leila spit on Daphne. Suddenly, they were pulled apart. Draco and Theo inserted themselves into the fight. Theo took hold of Leila, and Draco of Daphne. Draco looked at Leila with concern.
"Surprising who comes to your rescue." Daphne sneered.
"Will you drop it? Nothing is going on between me and him!" Leila yelled.
"Do you think I care?" Daphne hissed.
"Well I do!" Leila yelled.
"Why do you care?" Daphne yelled.
"Because you're supposed to be my best friend! And you cut me out over some stupid guy! I was completely honest with you, when you're never honest with me!" Leila hissed.
"Leila, I…" Daphne began.
"No! You made fun of my Mum's death, Daphne! You know how insecure I am that and how guilty I feel! And now you talk bad about her to try and hurt me! It hurt, it really did, but not anymore. Because you and me, this friendship, we're done. You're right, she's dead and as far as I'm concerned, so are you!" Leila said.
Leila forced her arms free of Theo and stormed out of the common room. She was blinded by her tears. She wished to be anywhere but there. She set her focus on getting to the kitchen. She had just tickled the pear when she could hear footsteps behind her. Draco was running to catch up with her.
"Leave me alone, Draco." Leila sighed.
"Being alone is the last thing you need right now." Draco said.
Draco took a step forward into the kitchen with her. She wrapped her arms around Draco, collapsed against him, and cried. Draco just held her in his arms and stroked her hair. When she eventually gained enough composure, she wiped her tears from her face and cringed.
"My face hurts." Leila said.
"It's probably not as bad as Greengrass's face. You nailed her pretty good." Draco said.
Leila sighed and asked Dobby for some ice.
"How bad is it?" Leila asked.
"Your lip's a little swollen and bloody, but that's all that's visible." Draco said.
"It feels like a hippogriff just sat on my head." Leila complained.
"So does a hangover." Draco teased.
Dobby handed Leila a bag of ice, which she placed on her lip.
"So what provoked that?" Draco asked.
"Nothing, I don't want to talk about Daphne right now." Leila said.
"Understandable. What can I do for you?" Draco asked.
"Make it stop hurting." Leila said.
"Where does it hurt?" Draco asked.
"Everywhere." Leila complained.
"How about here?" Draco asked.
Draco kissed Leila's jaw.
"Mhmm." Leila said.
"How about here?" Draco asked.
Draco nibbled on her ear, which caused Leila to giggle.
"How did you know?" Leila joked.
Draco grinned and began to nuzzle her neck. Leila sighed wrapped her arms around him to draw him closer. For a brief second she looked beyond Draco and saw someone enter the kitchen through the portrait hole, and quickly leave. They were caught!